Coupling aid for laser fusion of metal powders

Abstract

A process for enhancing the absorbent surface characteristics of a material having low carbon solubility or whose properties are not adversely affected by alloying with carbon comprises the step of mixing the material with lampblack in order to deposit a coating of lampblack on the material. Furthermore, the lampblack acts as a deoxidizing and fluxing agent to clean the substrate surface and promote effective wetting by the molten material during a laser processing procedure.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for the effective coupling of a laser beam and silver powder on a copper substrate comprising the steps of: mixing the silver powder with lampblack powder so that the silver powder is coated with lampblack;   depositing the silver powder with lampblack mixed together therewith onto a copper substrate; and   applying laser power to the deposited mixture of silver powder and lampblack powder.   
     
     
       2. A process for cladding copper with a highly reflective material comprising the steps of: mixing said highly reflective material with lampblack so that a mixture of lampblack and said material is rendered;   depositing said mixture of highly reflective material and lampblack onto the substrate; and   applying laser power to said mixture on said substrate.   
     
     
       3. A process for applying a specific design to substrate by coupling a material selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, tin and solder alloys to said substrate, comprising the steps of: mixing said selected material with lampblack to form a loose powder mixture;   substantially covering said substrate with said loose powder mixture;   applying laser power to the specific design areas of said substrate on which said loose powder mixture is to be coupled to said substrate while an area of said substrate to which laser power was not applied remains substantially covered with uncoupled loose powdered mixture; and   removing said loose powder mixture remaining on said substrate, thereby rendering said specific design applied to said substrate.